Apparatus for destroying moths



Jan. 14, 1930.

E. J. EDWARDS APPARATUS FOR DESTROYING MoTHs `Filed Aug. 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Il I I l I Illlll i. v ,l

Jan. 14, 1930. E J EDWARDS 1,743,660

APPARATUS FOR DESTROYING MOTHS Filed Aug.9. 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 ZZ 6 l .//z/ 'ea/0x1' n? zig@- Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD J. EDWARDS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOISfASSIGNOR TO S. KARPEN & BROS., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA APPARATUS FOR DESTROYING MOTHS Application iled August 9, 1324. Serial No. 731,150.

' This invention relates particularly to a simple, effective and safe method of destroying moths, larvae, and moth eggs, and to simple and effective apparatus for effecting such purpose.

Theinvention is well suited to the purpose of destroying moths, etc. in upholstered articles of furniture, but may be employed also in connection with articles of wear which involve the use' of mohairs and wool cloths. VThe moth larvae live largely or entirely on the fats or oils contained in such fabrics. It is known that moth eggs are laid, for eX- ample, in the nap of mohair or wool fabric constituting the finish-fabric of an upholstered article of furniture, and that when the egg is hatched the moth larva protects its existence by vburrowing down through Jc he fabric, after which'it lives its cycle of life 2o destroying the fabric by eating the nap fr om underneath, building its cocoon, and entering the pupa state in some suitable lodging place, usually in the hair or other fillingwith which the upholstered article of furniture is provided.

Itis customary to fumigate articles of wear, upholstered furniture, or the like, which have become infested with moth larvae by employing various poison gases, such as cyanide gas, disulphide, sulphur, carbontetrachloride, or the like. Such a method is effective in killing the moth, larvae and eggs, but is liable to result in danger to material coming in contact with the gas fumes. There are other obvious objections to use of the method of fumigation here indicated, such as objectionable odors, possible injury to persons employing the remedy, etc. Again, the fumi-- gating method referred to requires the use of air tight chambers, and it is impracticable to use such methods i-n homes and stores, so that where such method is practiced it entails the expense of cartage from homes or shops to fumigating establishments, and the expense v of chemicals employed.

According to the present method, the article to be treated is placed in, or covered by a cabinet and subjected to the action of-heated air, which preferably is circulated and recirculated through the cabinet. A moth larva will die in about three minutes if exposed to air at a temperature of about 115 F.; and the egg will be destroyed'in about two and one-half hours when exposed to air at a temperature of about 125 F. The moth will be destroyed in a few minutes at a temperature of 125 F.

The improved method can be readily practiced by means of a cheaply constructed cabinet equipped with electric heating units and an.electric fan, provisions being made for circulating the heated air within the cabinet. A

suitable cabinet for the purpose is illustrated Y in the accompanying drawings, in which-.

Figure 1 represents a front elevational view of a cabinet equipped with air heating and circulating means, an upholstered sofa being shown in dotted lines as located within the cabinet; Fig. 2, an end view illustrating the manner in which the sides and top of the cabinet are hinged together; Fig. 3, an inner face view of that end of the cabinet which is equipped with electric heating and air circulating means; Fig. 4, a longitudinal view showing'the cabinetv in collapsed condition; Fig. 5, an end view of the same; Fig. 6,- an en larged vertical sectional view at the end of the cabinet equipped with the air heating and circulating device; Fig. 7, a broken sectional vie'w (similar to Fig. 8) illustrating one of the hinges, such as that shown at the left upper corner of Fig. 2; Fig. 8, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 4 and illustrating one of the hinges, such as that shown at the upper right hand corner of Fig. 2; Fig. 9, a broken sectional view parallel with the section shown inFig. 8 and showing a fillet used between the hinges; and Fig. 10, a broken view illustrating the cabinet top and one of the sides in collapsed relation.

In the construction' illustrated, A represents a cabinet; and B, an upholstered article of furniture (shown in dotted lines).

The cabinet may be constructed from light materials, and maylbe of collapsible, or knock down, construction. Where the cabinet is intended for treating articles of upholstered l furniture, it is preferred to construct it with` outa bottom, so that it can be placed over the article of furniture and rest upon the door,

In this manner, when the article of furniture is being treated, the rug, or carpet, upon which the article of-fu-rniture stands is, at the same time, subjected to the hot air treatment.

In the const-ruction illustrated, the cabinet A comprises ya top member 1, side members 2 and 3, an end member 4, and an end member 5 upon which is mounted theair heating and circulating device 5B.

The walls may be of any suitable construction. They may, for example, be composed of heavy cardboard, or wall board; or, they may be constructed with canvas, or heavy paper. In the illustration given, each of the sidewalls and the top wall is provided with marginal frame members 6, connected by suitable cross members, or struts, 6, l,and the frames thus provided have stretched over them the canvas coverings 6by forming two walls of canvas separated by an air tight space 6". The end members 4 and 5 preferably are of some suitable stiff, light material, such as Wallboard, or wood.

The sidewalls and 2 are hinged at their upper edges by hinges 7 and 8, respectively, to the longitudinal edges of the top member 1. The top member is of greater width than the side members, so that the parts may be folded in the relation shown in Fig. 5, where an intervening space 9 is left between the top member and the side member 2. The hinges 7 are of 'the single-action type illustrated in Fig. 7; and the hinges 8 are of the doubleaction type shown in Fig. 8. Thus, as shown in Fig. 10, each hinge 8 has a leaf 8a secured to the under surface of the top 1, a leaf 8l vsecuredto 'the longitudinal edge of the side member 2, and an intervening leaf, or link, 8c, pivotally connected witlrthe other two leaves, so thatthe hinge can fold to the posi- Ition shown in Fig. 8.

. Secured to the under lateral margins of thel top 1 are llets 10 which fill the spaces between the hinges 8.

The endv members 4 and 5 are detachably Y connected with the top member and side members ofthe cabinet'by bolts. 1,1.

The air heating and circulatingdevice 5a comprises,- in' the illustration given, a mounting-plate 12-secured to the outersurface of .the end wall 5; anv electric motor 13 .mounted on said plate; anda fan 14 mounted on an extension of the armature' shaft. The wall 5 isprovided with a central funnel 15 which serves as a housing for the same; and said wall is further provided with return perforal tions, or openings, 16, through which the circulating air -may return to the fan casing. The plate 12 further serves to support electricheatig elements 17 which are housed in the space between the end wall 5 and the plate 12, said plate 12 being dished, or bowed outwardly, as indicated, thusproviding the space 18 which serves as alhou'sing for the heating elements. Circuits 19 .and 19a for the fanmotor and heating' elements, respectively,-are provided. A

By means of the apparatus described, air isY circulated and recirculated within the cabinet and is heated to thedesired temperature. Preferably a temperature above 125 F. is employed, and the circulation of the heated air is continued for a period of several hours. Ordinarily, from four to six hours will serve effectively to exterminate moths, larvae, or eggs whichA may be contained in an upholstered article of furniture. The period of time may be shortened by increasing the degree of heat.

The improved cabinet may be employed in homes, stores and warehouses. It may be cheaply constructed, and being of collapsible, or knock down, character, it may be readily transported from one place to another. It may be remarked that inasmuch as heated air is used for extermination purposes, it is not necessary to employ an expensive construction of cabinet which is absolutely airtight. It is desirable to employ a cabinet which tends to prevent much radiation of heat. The purpose will be served readily by employing `a cheap, light construction of the character suggested above.

The foregoing detailed description has -been given for clearness of understanding' only and no unnecessary limitations should be unl derstood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in viewbf the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Apparatus for the purpose comprising a cabinet provided with .a -top wall and side walls connected by hinges permitting said walls to be folded into parallel relation, end walls detachably connected with the end portions of said first-named walls, said cabinet being open at its lower side, one of said walls being `provided with a central passage and flanking: return passages, a mounting secured to said last-mentioned wall, an electric fan carried by said mounting and adapted to force the air through said central set forth,

assage, and electric heating means carried 

